The Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS) micro-credential courses are being offered by a new partnership between Canterbury Christ Church University and Bromley Emergency Courses. It will give healthcare professionals the opportunity to gain new skills and postgraduate credits within a flexible and workable timetable to suit them.

PoCUS is a developing clinical activity which allows clinicians to confirm the presence or absence, and to determine the extent and nature of certain acute medical conditions, including suspected internal injuries caused by trauma. PoCUS has a significant impact on clinical decision making and the rapid delivery of urgent care.

The new micro-credential courses have been designed especially for professionals working full-time, it will allow clinicians to take their skills and knowledge to a higher level. They are short, specific courses where credits can be earned and put towards a postgraduate award.

Dr Ian Stell, Director of Bromley Emergency Courses, said: “Traditionally, courses that offer study for a postgraduate award have fixed programmes and their timetables can be difficult for full-time professionals to dedicate time to. Studying for a micro-credential course is much easier to manage. Candidates can choose how and when to study and accumulate credits to gain a postgraduate qualification. It is a more attainable and appealing prospect for busy clinicians who have the desire to develop more specialist skills and gain extra qualifications but are struggling to find the opportunity to do so. We are excited to partner with Canterbury Christ Church University on this new opportunity to support fellow healthcare professionals.”

Professor Chris Burton, Head of School of Allied and Public Health Professionals, said: “Canterbury Christ Church University has a long and distinguished track record in education and research within diagnostic imaging, as well as a commitment to promoting life-long learning. For many years the University has run a variety of short courses that have helped local professionals develop key skills to support our region. So, we are delighted to partner with Bromley Emergency Courses to deliver these new micro-credentials in point of care ultrasound. These will assist fellow health professionals advance their training and develop essential key skills to support a dynamic, modern workforce.”

The first two micro-credential courses were launched earlier this year in Abdominal Point of Care Ultrasound and Fundamental Cardiac Point of Care Ultrasound. A further five courses in Ultrasound Physics, Extended Cardiac Point of Care Ultrasound, Lung Point of Care Ultrasound, Vascular Ultrasound and Ultrasound Guided Nerve Blockade will be launched in September.

All members from the first cohort have successfully completed their micro-credential courses.

Dr Thomas Frost is a doctor in A&E. He saw the course as a good opportunity to upskill his ultrasound abilities and gain access to a higher level of training. He said: “It was a really good course. I feel much more confident doing my bedside echoes, and I’ve already started to incorporate it into my practice at A&E. Any clinician working in A&E at any level would benefit from the course.”

Notes to editors

• Courses run for 10 weeks with 100 hours of study required, most of which will be private study. A minimum of 21 hours of in-person teaching involving hands-on practical scanning will be undertaken at the London training centre for Bromley Emergency Courses.
• Each micro-credential course equates to 10 credits. A typical post graduate certificate requires 60 credits.